CHICAGO, IL--The U.S. Small Business Administration’s (SBA) Illinois District Office is pleased to announce Illinois’ 2013 Small Business Person of the Year, Small Business Exporter of the Year, Small Business Development Center Excellence & Innovation of the Year, Jeffrey Butland Family-Owned Business of the Year, Women in Business Champion of the Year, Minority Small Business Champion of the Year, 7(a) Lender of the Year, 504 Lender of the Year, Community lender of the Year, and Rising Star Lender of the Year.

Each year, SBA’s Illinois District Office honors small businesses and small business advocates for its contributions to Illinois’ economy and society. This year’s state winner for the Small Business Person of the Year is Saqib Nadeem, Founder & CEO of Paradise 4 Paws, LLC. This minority owned and operated small business headquartered in Chicago was nominated by Exelon Energy. Nadeem won over numerous entries throughout the state because of his outstanding contributions to the small business and pet care industries.

“Saqib Nadeem embodies qualities commonly found in successful entrepreneurs: a keen vision of what can be, a strong commitment to business and community, and a willingness to take risks necessary to move forward,” said Dorothy A. Overal, Acting Illinois District Director & Oklahoma District Director. “These are the qualities that led to Mr. Nadeem’s selection for the top district level award.”

Paradise 4 Paws, LLC (P4P) was founded in 2008. In just a few years, P4P has established itself as a premier pet resort in the Chicagoland area. Focusing on the customer, both pet and owner, P4P provides superior service and care by featuring amenities such as web cams, overnight boarding, obedience training, spa & grooming, nature hikes, customized suites, pools, and even massage and aromatherapy for cats and dogs alike. With all of the spas located near international airports, this award winning pet resort has been featured in many media venues such as USA Today, Business Week, New York Times, “Good Morning Texas”, and the “Today Show.” Investing in new relationships and technological advancements, Saq Nadeem assures his company continued success in this market for years to come.

In addition to the Small Business Person of the Year, other 2013 Illinois Small Business Award Winners that were selected for their continued support and contributions to the Illinois Small Business community included:

Women in Business Champion of the Year

JULIE SAVITT

AMS EARTH MOVERS, INC.

Nominated by First Bank of Highland Park

Minority Small Business Champion of the Year

MARK HANDS

FEDERAL RESERVE BANK OF CHICAGO

Nominated by Women’s Business Development Center &

Chicago Minority Supplier Development Council

Small Business Exporter of the Year

JASON SPEER/SANDRA WESTLUND - DEENIHAN

QUALITY FLOAT WORKS, INC

Nominated by Mac Strategies Group, Inc.

Jeffrey Butland Family – Owned Business of the Year

MARY RICHARDS LAWRENCE

RICHARDS GRAPHIC COMMUNICATIONS, INC.

Nominated by Women’s Business Development Center

Small Business Development Center Excellence & Innovation Award

JAN L. BAUER

ILLINOIS SMALL BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT CENTER & INTERNATIONAL TRADE CENTER AT THE COLLEGE OF LAKE COUNTY

Nominated by First Bank of Highland Park

7(a) Lender of the Year

JP Morgan Chase

Michael Hereda – Vice President SBA Programs

504 Lender of the Year

Growth Corp

Douglas Kinley - President

Community Lender of the Year

Community First Bank of the Heartland

Jo David Cummins – President & CEO

Rising Star Lender of the Year

Village Bank and Trust (WINTRUST)

Thomas Huffman – President

These recipients competed in their respective categories among other small business entrepreneurs and small business champions throughout SBA’s Region V area which included Illinois, Indiana, Michigan, Minnesota, Ohio, and Wisconsin.

In collaboration with SCORE: For the Life of your Business and the Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity, our Illinois winners will be honored at an awards luncheon on Wednesday, June 12, 2013 at the Union League Club of Chicago.

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Editor’s Note: To schedule an interview with the award winners, please contact

Mark Ferguson (312)353-5430 or Carol Wilkerson (312) 353-7327.

To obtain more information regarding all other SBA programs, small business owners may call the SBA Answer Desk at 1-800 U ASK SBA or TDD 704-344-6640 or visit SBA’s extensive Web site at www.sba.gov.